Sungai Muntoh

Sungai Muntoh is a semi-agricultural small town in the district of Jelebu in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia with less than 3,500 in total population. The town is located about 30 miles southeast of Kuala Lumpur and is situated near the border between Negeri Sembilan and Selangor.

Local climate

Sungai Muntoh is the warmest place in Malaysia. However, it also experiences heavy thunderstorms. That is mainly because it is at the higher tip of the end of Titiwangsa Mountains as compared to the rest of Jelebu.

In early February 2005, Malaysia’s temperature rose to almost 39 degrees Celsius—the worst in 30 years and in Southeast Asia, second only to Myanmar. Being the warmest and the driest place in Malaysia, Sungai Muntoh bares shortage of water supply and possible drought.

History

Sungai Muntoh is believed to be founded by Chinese immigrants in early 1800s. The town’s booming mining business and rubber plantation drew foreign indentured labors from China and India, who were paid low wages.

Sungai Muntoh has itself placed in the history of mining and rubber plantation in Negeri Sembilan. Sungai Muntoh was the earliest and most reputable mining site in Jelebu back in the late 1800s. A lot of valuable centuries-old artifacts were found there and are now displayed in the state’s museum.

During World War II, when Jelebu was invaded by the Japanese, cruel acts performed on the locals included massacre and genocide. There were about 1,500 people killed during the Japanese invasion, and about 3,500 more in the rest of the state, making Negeri Sembilan one of the states having the highest death toll.

Demographics

Sungai Muntoh is a neighborhood with a Chinese majority. Chinese accounts for almost 60% of the town’s population while Malays, natives (Orang Asli) and some Indians make up the rest. Most of the Malays reside near a rehabilitation centre, working as law enforcers.

Economy

Most Chinese of older generation work in the rubber estate as rubber tappers. The rubber business is in decline over the years since younger generations seek to improve their lifestyles in nearby cities with most notably Kuala Lumpur and Seremban. Recently however, the rubber plantation industry undergoes a resurgency since world demand for rubber has increased since 2005.

Vegetable and fruit farming also contributes to the town's economy and prosperity. Vast land areas surrounding the town are planted with vegetables. Local sugarcanes and pineapples are famous throughout the country. Fruits that are grown in Sungai Muntoh include coconuts, rambutans, durians, mangosteens and mangos and other tropical fruits.

Places of interest

Malaysia's first solar-powered organic farm, The Titi Eco Farm, the 28 acre (113,000 m²) resort is located just about 3 miles (5 km) from Sungai Muntoh. It is the perfect place to learn to coexist with peace and nature. The countryside retreat is located on a hilltop 100 feet (30 m) above sea level. Along the way to the farm, mist-covered hills and lush greenery greet visitors. You will also hear the sound of roosters, ducks, birds, ostriches and squirrels. The resort is surrounded by fruit orchards, a herb garden and a vegetable garden. About 30 types of common Malaysian vegetables like gourds, legumes, carrots, peanuts and chinese cabbages are grown in the farm.

Flora & fauna

Sungai Muntoh's dense rainforest is home to a huge variety of flora and faunas, including many endangered species. This includes tigers, crocodiles, wild boars and lizards. Rare types of blue-headed centipedes and the highly venomous colorful scorpions are found in Sungai Muntoh as well. A colorful peacock-like long-tailed flying creature about 2 ft tall was a usual sighting too, until illegal deforestation took place in less than a decade ago.

Serpents are common in this town. Black snakes are the only snakes native to Sungai Muntoh. Other species of snakes are rarely seen. Pythons--which can grow up to 5 meter long--are also one of the common sightings.

However, the rich biodiversity of the forest has brought problems to the local community as well. The town is famous for wild-animal invasion and attacks on livestocks and plantations. These include tigers, boars, crocodiles and others.

Rehabilitation centres

There are more rehabilitation centres in Sungai Muntoh than the rest of the state. The state’s biggest and most reputable prison for junkies and drug-addicts is located there. In early 1997, a breakout of the junkies became national headline. Chaos and mayhem occurred when prison guards tried to arrest the fugitives on the streets. In late 2004, another similar headline caught the attention of NTV7. They did a full coverage on it, stating there could be a possible blue-collar crime going on. An investigation was initiated, but to no avail.